The Odyssey Color Guard salutes during their school song as East Central hosts Southwest at East Central Stadium on October 18, 2012.

The Odyssey Color Guard salutes during their school song as East Central hosts Southwest at East Central Stadium on October 18, 2012.

Photo: Tom Reel, Express-News

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Dragons' running game rips Vols

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Southwest might not have the dynamic running back it has had in recent years, but its spread-the-wealth approach showed that there's safety — and a lot of yardage — in numbers.

Southwest, behind a punishing rushing attack that featured 12 different ballcarriers, pounded Lee 31-7 on Friday at Dragon Stadium.

The Dragons (2-1) rushed for 255 yards, with Bryan Donnell doing most of the damage with 153 yards and a touchdown. Reilly Riggs added 76 yards and two TDs, and Jon Cruz had a score.

Southwest's dominance at the line of scrimmage spread to its defense, which limited Lee (2-1) — seeking its first 3-0 start since 1998 — to 136 yards, including six rushing. The Dragons forced three turnovers.

The Volunteers punted four times, turned it over on downs, and were intercepted in the end zone in the first half. They had three first downs and 30 yards at halftime. At one point in the first half, Lee had negative rushing and passing totals.

Southwest already had firm control of the contest by then. Riggs raced 35 yards around right end on a fourth-and-2 less than four minutes into the game — and four plays after Mario Sanchez made a tackle behind the line of scrimmage when Lee attempted to convert on fourth-and-1 from its own 44.

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After the Dragons forced another punt, Cruz concluded a five-play, 53-yard drive by running around left end for a 15-yard score. Kicker Misael Higa, who converted all four of his PATs, added a 24-yard field goal as Southwest led 17-0 at halftime.

The Dragons scored on its first two second-half drives — Donnell's 5-yard run and Riggs' 7-yard run — to extend its lead to 31-0 after three quarters.

Lee quarterback Freedom Salas connected with Anthony Green on a 34-yard TD strike early in the fourth as the Volunteers avoided being shut out.